Videos Produced by the Autonomous Municipalities of the Highlands of Chiapas
Videos Produced by the Autonomous Municipalities of the Highlands of Chiapas: compilation of two videos/Videos de los municipios Autónomos, Los Altos de Chiapas: compilado en un video
Recovery of the Autonomous Presidency of San Andres Sacamch' en/ Recuperación de la presidencia Autónoma de San Andrés Sacamchíen
(1999. 11 min, Spanish w/ English subtitles)
On April 6, 1999, interim Governor Albores of Chiapas ordered state police to dismantle the autonomous Zapatista council of the Municipality of San Andres Sacamch' en, which had governed since 1995. Army troops and Public Security forces occupied the city hall and installed a PRI mayor. The next day, over 3,000 indigenous campesiños marched on the town of San Andres, peacefully re-took the city hall and re-installed their elected officials. Mexican Army and Public Security forces fled town, chased out by unarmed civilians.This 11 minute video captures the power of organized civil society as thousands of indigenous civilians demonstrate grassroots democracy. To this day there is a 24-hour watch by community members guarding the town hall to prevent further aggressions by the Governor.
El seis de Abril de 1999 centenares del cuerpo de Seguridad Pública y ejército federal destruyeron el municipio autónomo de San Andrés Sacamchíen, sede de los diálogos para alcanzar la paz en Chiapas entre el EZLN y el gobierno federal, un día después, cerca de 5,000 indígenas de los Altos de Chiapas se movilizaron pacíficamente para desalojar seguridad pública, ejército federal y a las autoridades impostoras. La recuperación del municipio autónomo concluye con el festejo de la gente.
Municipality of San Juan de La Libertad/ Municipio autónomo de San Juan de la Libertad
(1999. 31 min, Spanish w/English subtitles)
The National Consultation, March 21 in the Autonomous Municipality of San Juan de La Libertad (Consulta Nacional 21 de Marzo, Municipio Autonomo San Juan de la Libertad) On March 12, 1999, 5,000 Zapatistas left Chiapas to conduct a massive popular education campaign throughout Mexico on indigenous rights and the San Andrés Accords. The ensuing nine- day campaign led to the Consulta Nacional in which citizens were asked to vote on four basic questions regarding indigenous rights. Over three million people cast their ballots in favor of the Zapatista proposals. This video documents the voyage of the Zapatista representatives in the communities of the Municipality of San Juan de la Libertad.
El 21 de Marzo de 1999, 2,500 mujeres y 2,500 hombres Zapatistas se trasladan a los municipios de México para promover la participación de la sociedad civil por el reconocimiento de los derechos de los pueblos indios y por el fin de la guerra de exterminio.
En el municipio Autónomo de San Juan de la Libertad los delegados y delegadas zapatistas promovieron la consulta con la participación de los y las habitantes de la región.
Festivals:
1999, First Nations Native American Film and Video Festival, Chicago, Illinois USA
2000, First People’s Festival, Montreal 2000, Native American Film and Video Festival, New York City, NY USA
2003 REC, Smithsonian Native American Film and Video Festival, New York City, NY USA
